W124 Estates; choices, choices!

[jonnyc]

I'm leaving behind the world of "company car cotton wool land" and joining the harsh world of self-ownership.
My current vunduk is an Audi A4 1.9TDi Saloon (B6).

I really fancy a W124 estate but can't really pin down my choice.
I've test driven the following:
300TE-24v auto (G) 170Kmiles
300TE auto (H) 140Kmiles.
I want the seating and load space but also some degree of fuel economy (10000 miles per year) and driver control; the auto box was quite sluggish.
What are the mpg figures for a 300TE-24v, 300TE, 300TD?
Can you get these models with a manual box?
What advantages are ther to the electric closing tailgate/bonnet.
I've been warned off the 4MATIC box, is this standard on all autos?
What about the smaller engined models?
Which models have air-con?

Being the first time driving a Benz, I was happy with the durability of both examples interior and exterior. People seem to look after their cars, FSH, owners handbook etc. Not bad for a 14/15 year old car!

PS driving style is "Taxi", driving environment is 30 miles per day in 40mph limits. Some longer motorway journeys of 200 miles occasionally.

 

[pepper&boulou]

Personally I'd go with the bigger engine (3.0litre) , newer models I believe were 2.8 , 3.2 & 3.0D( desperately needs a turbo, only available on left hand drive cars) 24v engines they will be quite economical as they have more power to push that heavy body around, autos are better, not sluggish at all , and go for the newest model you can afford with a FULL SERVICE HISTORY. mileage is not a problem as the w124 can go on virtualy forever if properly looked after.

 

[andy_k]

as has been said elsewhere about service histories - having them is nice but don't let the lack of one stop you buying what could well be a superb car. Not everyone keeps receipts and not everyone has the work on their car done at a dealers. As an example, my W124 hasn't seen the inside of a dealers (or any other garage) since I've owned it but I'd suggest it's as well (if not better) maintained than many others which are running round with a full history. Talk to the owners and see how they've looked after the car, at 14 or 15 years old service history is a bonus not a neccessity.

Engine wise, the 230 is fine, giving ample pulling power (as long as you are not towing) and will effortlessly do over 30mpg - even around town as long as you are not too lead footed. The autos may seem slightly sluggish, that's because they all start in second gear - a quick stab of the throttle will force a first gear start and you'll probably change your mind about "sluggish"

The 4matic is a specialist car - with a very sweet 4 wheel drive system that costs a fortune to repair if it goes wrong and in a 15 year old car it's almost inevitable it will do - probably best avoided unless you really need a 4 wheel drive estate that has to be a Mercedes

Same for aircon really, I've never seen it as an essential and with older cars it's just another possible source of expenditure.

HTH

Andy

 

[PJH]

Hello jonnyc
Some very late W124s had 5 speed autos and air-con was optional on all models, as was cruise control.
Later models have longer service intervals.
My L Reg 280E always starts in 1st gear and hence is not sluggish.
I get about 28 mpg.

 

[janner]

The 5 speed auto was optional later cars.
The 5 speed boxes are generally less reliable than the 4 speeds.
Some boxes had 1st gear start, some didn't. To make a 4 speed start in first put it into '2' when stationary and then back to 'D'.
The manual box is not popular on the W124, best to stick to autos.

 

[andy_k]

To make a 4 speed start in first put it into '2' when stationary and then back to 'D'.

or just stamp on the loud pedal

Andy

 

[Ian B Walker]

or just stamp on the loud pedal

Andy

And at the bottom of the loud pedal is a little switch, press once for instant whiplash.

 

[lookskyward1]

My 300TE auto is regularly running 20-22mpg, some of this is possibly due to me enjoying the massive torque.

2nd gear pull away is still not slow and giving it welly for a first gear start is in the OMG class. :bannana:

 

[jonnyc]

Last question,

Does the 7 seat option increase the insurance premium?

If I do choose the 7 seater, (generally) are adults seated in the rearmost seats covered in the policy?

Thanks

 

[andy_k]

no difference on policy as far as I know - in fact our estate cost less to insure than the saloon

adults in the rear? there's not a great deal of room there. They are proper seats with seat belts so I'd expect all passengers to be covered

Andy

 

[230K]

Hi

I was told by MOT examiner that rear facing seats DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE SEAT BELTS. He checked all the other belts but not the ones in the boot.

P.S Go for a 300D estate and you will not regret it, try and get a dark colour they look more modern and exclusive me thinks. Also dont worry about a high mileage diesel if the oil has ben changed regularly.

230K

 

[teky]

7 seater does effect the premium if its for adults, the rear seats are for children only so the car is declaired as an estate only "its not actually a 7 seater" you have a person weight limit to the rear seats